RNA - As hundreds of Muslims prayed inside the Evergreen Islamic Center Friday afternoon, dozens of community members stood outside, holding signs that read, “Muslims make San Jose better,” “Embrace diversity” and “Love trumps hate,” in a grassroots show of solidarity.
Members of the Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Pantsuit Nation of San Jose and People Acting in Community Together, among others, participated in the silent demonstration to offer support following a string of anti-Muslim attacks that have been reported nationwide since the Nov. 8 election.
Evergreen became a target on Thanksgiving, when a hate-filled letter mailed to the Islamic center referred to Muslims as “vile and filthy people” and “Children of Satan.”
“I along with many in the community have been disturbed by issues of hate and bigotry and discrimination that have been popping up over the last few weeks and we’re looking for a way to make a statement to show that that’s not what our community is about,” said Bridget Harrison, a member of the Pantsuit Nation of San Jose, who organized the demonstration. “Our community is about support and tolerance and acceptance.”
Faisal Yazadi, board president of the Evergreen Islamic Center, said the community’s support is “what we need at this time.”
“It’s really great to know that there is so much love in the community. It makes us feel that we are loved and that not everybody feels the way that one person feels,” he said. “One bad apple doesn’t break our spirit.”
Yazadi said the center has received hundreds of supportive emails, flowers and cards from as far away as Australia since the anti-Muslim letter was sent last week.
“Our answering machine is jammed because we just can’t keep up with the calls,” he said.
The letter the center received, which was also mailed to several mosques throughout California and in other states, warned that President-elect Donald Trump would do to Muslims, “what Hitler did to the Jews.” It was signed by “Americans for a Better Way.”
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